Children have unique ways of expressing themselves, whether it is in the cozy confines of their homes, the structured environment of the school, or the changing dynamics of social life. Their innate curiosity and adventurous spirit often leads them to test the boundaries set by the world around them. During these moments, adults may be quick to define responses as “misbehavior.” What unfortunately is overlooked is whether there are underlying factors and explanations behind those actions. Instead of delving into the root causes, parents and teachers tend to rely solely on disciplinary measures, missing an opportunity for a more comprehensive understanding of the child’s development and actual needs.
In light of this, it becomes increasingly crucial to dedicate time and attention to recognizing and understanding the subtle signs of mental health issues that may manifest within them. By doing so, we can effectively address these challenges through healthy and supportive means, whilst ensuring the well-being of our children.
An essential step in this process is gaining deeper insights into the common behavior-related disorders frequently observed in children, particularly those that tend to surface during their preschool years (and intensify as they transition into adolescence). By understanding these disorders more comprehensively, we can foster an environment that promotes early detection, intervention, skill building, and the nurturing of their emotional and psychological growth.
Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a childhood behavior disorder that typically emerges during the preschool years and, although it can also begin later, it usually becomes apparent before early adolescence. Children with ODD often exhibit:
- a refusal to comply with requests or instructions, perceiving them as unreasonable
- anger and aggression when faced with demands
- resistance and moodiness frequently (far more than is common among children in this age bracket), impeding their ability to engage in everyday activities, such as learning, effective communication, emotional management, and positive social connections
The severity of ODD symptoms can range from mild to severe. In mild cases, the disruptive behaviors may be limited to a single setting, such as at home, school, or with peers. Moderate cases involve symptoms present in at least two different settings, while severe cases are characterized by symptoms occurring in three or more settings. For a diagnosis of ODD, a child must exhibit a consistent pattern (i.e. for a minimum duration of six months) of angry and cranky moods, coupled with negative and defiant behavior that significantly disrupts interpersonal relationships.
Identifying and addressing ODD early on is crucial for supporting children in developing more positive and adaptive behaviors, enhancing their overall functioning and relationships. Interventions tailored to the individual needs of children with ODD can help improve their emotional well-being, social interactions, and ability to navigate daily challenges more effectively.
Children with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessions and compulsions are common experiences in childhood and adolescence and can be a normal part of development. For example, children may go through stages where they exhibit specific rituals or preferences, such as wanting a consistent bedtime routine. However, when unwanted thoughts and compulsive behaviors persist and interfere with daily life, it may indicate the presence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For instance, if a child gets easily irritated and fussy over arranging objects in specific patterns, for fear of something terrible happening if they don't. In such situations, it is the perceived fear that causes the child to experience a great deal of distress and anxiety, which can significantly impact his ability to regulate his emotions and relax.
As mentioned, children with OCD face challenges that affect their overall well-being and quality of life. These challenges can manifest in various areas, including
- academic difficulties such as trouble paying attention or completing homework
- disrupted routines that revolve around their rituals
- physical issues arising from stress or lack of sleep
- social problems such as prioritizing obsessions and compulsions over social interactions
- avoiding social situations due to fear of judgment
- experiencing negative emotions like worrying about being different or lacking control over their behavior
- an increased risk of developing other mental health problems like anxiety or depression
Recognizing and addressing the impact of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior on our children's lives is crucial for supporting their overall well-being and functioning. Early identification and appropriate intervention strategies can help children with OCD manage their symptoms effectively and improve their daily functioning, relationships, and emotional wellness.
Children with Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is a severe mental health disorder observed in children and teenagers, characterized by highly challenging behavior. Individuals with conduct disorder:
- engage in aggressive actions
- harm others and may show physical cruelty towards animals
- violate significant rules, for example sneaking out at night or truanting
- might even engage in theft or destruction of property.
These behaviors severely impair their ability to carry out everyday activities and maintain positive relationships with family members, friends, peers, and teachers. The onset of conduct disorder can occur as early as preschool years or during adolescence.
Children with conduct disorder consistently display disruptive behavior that persists over a prolonged period and significantly affects their daily lives. Additionally, such children may exhibit other characteristics such as blaming others for their behavior, perceiving harmless actions as threatening, showing irritability or easy frustration, experiencing frequent temper outbursts, engaging in risky behaviors like unprotected sex, train surfing, or substance abuse, as well as engaging in self-harm or displaying suicidal tendencies.
Conduct disorder poses significant challenges for affected individuals and their families, requiring comprehensive assessment and intervention to address their complex behavioral and emotional needs. Therefore, it is vital to pay attention to the onset of these symptoms and seek professional help at the earliest.
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) exhibit distinct characteristics and abilities due to differences in how their brains function compared to children without ADHD. While these differences manifest in specific challenges for such children, they also bestow them with remarkable strengths and abilities. For instance, children with ADHD may struggle with maintaining focus and concentration, but they often demonstrate exceptional creativity and innovative thinking. Consequently, their ability to focus on tasks that they find engaging can lead to deep exploration and mastery of subjects they are passionate about.
Where most of us may typically assume and characterize children with ADHD as being hyperactive and “challenging” due to common difficulties that they experience, it is important to understand that they could fall into either of the two ADHD categories: inattentive characteristics and hyperactive/impulsive characteristics.
Inattentive traits include difficulties in paying close attention to details, struggling to follow instructions or complete tasks, being easily distracted, having trouble remembering everyday things, avoiding mentally demanding tasks (such as homework and other chores), and experiencing challenges with organization and time management.
Hyperactive and impulsive traits involve excessive fidgeting, being constantly on the move, finding it challenging to engage in quiet activities, excessive talking, struggling to stay seated, impatience, interrupting others, and using objects without seeking permission.
Experts are also of the opinion that as children with ADHD grow older, their specific ADHD characteristics may evolve. For example, they might continue to face difficulties with focus, memory, and impulsive behavior, but their hyperactive tendencies may diminish over time. Therefore, it is important to recognize and understand these changes as children progress through different developmental stages while managing ADHD symptoms.
Increasing our Awareness
Detecting and addressing mental health problems in our children at an early stage is crucial not just for preventing potential complications but also for co-occurring disorders (as mentioned above). Parents must not overlook the key role that they play in their child's developmental process and address these concerns by raising their own awareness.
It is natural to be biased towards our children and this often causes us to overlook certain unusual happenings in their behaviors. This is where it becomes necessary to observe our children objectively. Objective observation takes a facts-first approach. It relies on descriptions and documented observations based on details, with little interpretation. As an objective observer, you record each detail and action without offering an opinion on what's happening therefore allowing you to gather information only on factual details that can be heard, seen, or otherwise observed.
Once parents are able to identify potential signs and symptoms that may indicate underlying issues they will be able to visibly recognize patterns, inconsistencies, or persistent difficulties that may require further evaluation or professional intervention. On the contrary, in the absence of any worrying symptoms, observing our children's behavior will help establish a baseline for their typical functioning that will enable us to recognize any deviations from their normal behavior in the future.
Amidst all these scenarios, it is however essential to recognize that signs of mental health issues may vary significantly depending on the child's age. For instance, in younger children, signs of anxiety or depression may manifest as frequent tantrums, difficulty sleeping, or separation anxiety. On the other hand, older children and teenagers may exhibit symptoms such as withdrawal from social activities, academic decline, or increased irritability. Understanding these age-related variations in mental health indicators is necessary as that will allow us to effectively identify and address potential issues, and provide appropriate support and interventions tailored to the child's specific needs.
Conclusion
The parent-child bond is absolutely precious and one that contributes largely to the child's social and emotional development and overall well-being. Research also consistently demonstrates that children with secure and supportive relationships with their parents are less likely to experience anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems. And, it is the emotional connection and open communication within the parent-child bond that creates a safe space for children to express their emotions, seek reassurance, and receive comfort during challenging times. Therefore, as the rightful guardians of our children, it is our duty to address the needs of our children and assist and support their mental health challenges.
Further Reading Recommendations
CDC’s Developmental Milestones | CDC
Child Developmental Milestones 4-10 yrs
Mental Health Concerns in Children 3-8 years
Umm Ahmed is an early childhood educator and mother of three boys. Always on the quest to learn, she is passionate about seeking knowledge and passing it on to others. A writer in the making, she draws inspiration through deep conversations, laws of nature, and her own children. She and her family are currently living in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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